Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius), Higley Road Ponds, Gilbert, Maricopa County

This female Red Phalarope completing molt into breeding plumage was discovered and photographed by Bob Witzeman on 31 May 2010 at the Higley Road Ponds in Gilbert. The ponds are located just south of Queen Creek Road on the east side of Higley Road in Gilbert.

This represents only the second May record for Maricopa County.  The bird was also present on 1 June 2010 and therefore became the first June record for the county.   Statewide it is a casual transient, mainly in the fall.

Unmistakable in this plumage.

31 May 2010, photo by Bob Witzeman

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